Iceland Trip 🇮🇸

I will summarize my trip here, to reflect on it, share some pictures and maybe give you some inspiration for your next trip ;)...

Day 1

After the conference, I headed directly to get the rental car. It was a KIA Sportage; it wasn't the one I rented because I rented a Dacia Duster 2026, but it got cancelled 2 days b4 the trip due to some delayed arrival. After I got the car, I just stayed there in the front seat, super stressed, because I had all the worst-case scenarios popping into my head (what if the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere? What if I forgot how to drive HAHA? (because it had been a while since I last drove...)). I also had to watch some YouTube videos about the KIA Sportage to know where all the buttons were. It was actually quick, and now, after 14 days of driving it, I JUST LOVE IT. Anyways, like I said, I was super stressed, but then once I switched to D gear, the adrenaline kicked in, my muscle memory came back and I started driving confidently, and was SO EXCITED AGAIN. The plan for the first day was to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Reykjanes Peninsula

The Bridge Between Continents

First, I went to the Bridge Between Continents, where there is some interesting information about the Earth's tectonic plates. Since Iceland is partly on the North American Plate and partly on the Eurasian Plate, one could say that if you were standing on the bridge in the picture, you could have one foot on each plate.

Reykjanes Lighthouse

Then I headed to Reykjanes Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse currently standing on Icelandic shores. There are also some very beautiful (but scary because of the fog and the weather in general) cliffs next to it. Looking at the cliffs, there is a sculpture of an extinct bird, the "Great Auk", which is beautiful.

Gunnuhver Hot Springs

Then, I went to Gunnuhver Hot Springs. It was very interesting to see the water boiling from the ground, and the colors there are just beautiful. There is also the rubble of a house there, on the spot that is now boiling. The story is that in the 19th century, there was a couple living there, a Dane and a Latvian, and they were gardeners. Then they moved to Copenhagen, and now the ground where their house used to be is boiling hot :3 (Thats the story). That was my last stop og the day then I camped in Grindavík

Day 2

Fagradalsfjall Volcano

I started the day with a hike to Fagradalsfjall, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland (I know that thanks to one of the speakers at ECC :3). I did the 6 km hike, where I arrived at the crater. The hike was scary since there was no visibility because of the weather. The volcano wasn't active at that time, so it was just hard lava on the top. But what was very interesting is that there were some orange holes where, if you put your hand close to them, you could feel the heat (that was interesting and nice to warm yourself in that cold weather). and I got a tiny rock as a souvenir hehe.

Seltún Geothermal Area

Here in this place, I was forced to learn (because of the smell) that one of the gases that escape from magma during a hot intrusion is hydrogen sulphide (H2S), it has a very disgusting and strong smell (like rotten eggs).

Krýsuvíkurberg Cliffs

Then I went to see other cliffs which were beautiful and scary, here the wind was just crazy strong and I didnt stay long, but I saw this funny looking sheep, and took a picture of it

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

Day 3

Kerið

I started the day with visiting Kerið, which is a crater filled(ish) with water. There was a lot of info on its creation but I forgot most of it :3. ANYWAYS, the pictures doesnt show its beauty because to me it was very unique and just stunning.I loved that you could circle up and down the crater.

Þingvellir

Then I went to Þingvellir national parc. It was honestly my favorite of the day. I loved walking along the high walls, also it has a very beautiful waterfall and a magnificent panoramic view from top. Again the pics doesnt show 1% of its beauty which is sad

Strokkur Geyser

Gullfoss

This waterfall was the last destination of the day. I literally can't describe its beauty (nor can the pics, actually I think they suck). Most Icelanders say it is the most beautiful (and powerful) waterfall in all of Iceland, and I have to agree without any doubt. I could look at it all day without getting sick of it. I also camped in Flúðir, where they had a beautiful glass house to eat in, which I loved.

Day 4

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Then I went to these two waterfalls which are next to each other. I belived that Gljúfrabúi was STUNNING really (I didnt take any pictures of it cuz my phone died). but also Seljalandsfoss was beautiful. True Iceland has many waterfalls, but I felt like each one has its own unique beauty, like you cant say I saw one lemme skip the others.

Rutshellir Caves

Then along road 1 you can find these man-made caves, which are found all over south iceland (around 200), and only on the south (not sure why).

Skógafoss

Then I went to another waterfall, "Skógafoss". It was very beautiful as well, and there was a couple taking their wedding pictures, which was kinda beautiful. Then I did the Fimmvörðuháls Trailhead, where there are many waterfalls one after the other. On the way, I saw these little cute sheep blocking my way haha (but then they moved up the mountain).

Sólheimajökulll Glacier

And then I went to this 11km glacier. It the first time I see a glacier in my life and I was REALLY impressed. It was the best thing I saw the whole trip. It was scary asf but beautiful asf as well. Not sure why but this particular place marked me the most.and that concluded the day, then I camped in vik.

Day 5

Reynisfjara aka Black sand beach

Then I went to the most famous black sand beack, with its hexagon shaped rocks, the weather was crazy tho.

Gígjagjá

Then I went here. At first I didnt know what was famous. seriously i was looking for a while especially since google maps pics are sometimes misleading. but then I read the english name "Yoda cave". I never watched star wars, but I took a picture anyway, and the shape of the rock is interesting. Not sure if its natural tho.

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Then I went to see these canyons..., and ended the day in this very beautiful campsite, I think this campsite was the joy of the day really.

Day 6

National Parc of Skaftafell

Then I hiked over the national parc of skaftafell, where I visited Svartifoss waterfall, and some man-made caves (houses)

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Then I went to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which was next to the glacier and had big chunks of ice floating on the water. Some of the ice also lands on the beach (aka the Diamond Beach). There were also seals swimming in the lagoon, which was very nice to watch (good thing I bought 10 x 46 binoculars :3).

Stokksnes and Vestrahorn

Djúpivogur

I started the day with a visit to the town I camped in cuz it was calm and charming and by the harbor

Hengifoss

Then i went to hengifoss (i think it is the tallest waterfall in iceland) the shade of red was very unique and beautiful. It doesnt look tall in my pic but it is very tall and huge, you can google pics taken by drones, they are way better. Then I finally camped to Then I camped in Borgarfjörður-Eystri.

Day 7

Álfaborg Campsite - Borgarfjörður-Eystri

Woke up, had breakfast then did a small hike around the campsite, its location was very beautiful. Then had launch and headed to the next location

Borgarfjarðarhöfn

Now this was very exciting as i got to see the puffins REALLY close, like i could grab them if i wanted to, and they were too chill around humans. And I dunno if its just me but i feel like they are always smiling and curious. These birds bring me inner peace, i just LOVE THEM and miss them already. I felt too humbled with my phone where people came with their 2m zoom cameras haha, but elhamduli’allah. Then i found this drawing book inside a bird watching cabin to draw a puffin and i did. I put here my drawing and the drawing i liked. Then I went to a campsite near Stuðlagil Canyon

Day 8

Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss and sellfoss waterfalls, and Ásbyrgi canyon

I started the day with a visit to the canyons, I also stayed for a hour or so just with my feet in the water, I just loved being there. I also went to see on the way the Stuðlagil waterfall. Then went to the hospitals cuz i cut my finger bad and had an infection, but in iceland the service is very quick and amazing even on a sunday, and they said it will be free of charge since i didnt have insurance, which was very kind, then went to dettifoss and sellfoss waterfalls. I loved the rocks field that surounded them. then went Ásbyrgi canyon (I stayed like 10min cuz i was exhausted). Then directly headed to the campsite which was amazing and was 1m from the sea I LOVED IT.

Day 9

I am writing this at the airport back home and didnt realize it will take time, so im gonna group the things per day :3. The 9th day I went to Hverir geothermal area, it was different than the otherones because the whole area including the mountains had the orange color (I loved it), BUT THE SMELL was very strong. Then I went to Hverfjall which is a crater of ash and this time it wasnt filled with water, and from up top you could see Lake Mývatn and small (green) craters here and there.Then I ended the day by going to Goðafoss aka the waterfall of god. Then I headed to the nearest campsite, and for the first time it was full, went to another also full, then tried another thats 1h away (outside the hot areas), and camped there.

Day 10

Okay, now I am at day 10, and I near the westfjords. For this day I went to see the seals near a beach but without binaculars you cant really see them (I had mine so thats fine). then I tried to move along the shore to see the famous elephant rock (aka Hvítserkur) but the arctic terns attacked me defending their nest. I backed off and went down the cliff (it was a bit scary but I managed), and honestly the rock was very beautiful with many kinds of birds on the beach. Then I headed to the westfjords to Hveravik campsite which had 5 stars review and the ppl said you could see the whales from the campsite. it was a long drive and foggy asf, the campsite was very nice (like hotel level nice) and the view was stunning too with wild horses there. BUT I saw no whales and I couldnt enjoy it cuz it was packed, and the ppl were loud.

Day 11

On day 10, I continued through the Westfjords and went to the top of Bolafjall Mountain. I did not enjoy the view whatsoever because the road was **SO** scary. I just took a few pics, looked at the view for one second, and left. Plus, there was no one there, so I just wanted to get out of there. Frankly, I don't regret leaving—I actually regret going in the first place.

Then I continued to Dynjandi Waterfall, but the road was closed, so I headed to Rauðasandur to see the orange beach, hopefully see the seals up close, and camp there.

IT WAS THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. It was night, there was **ZERO, ZERO** visibility because of the fog, and I was driving up and down the mountain through VERY sharp and steep turns. I was literally just following the reflective sticks on the side of the road because I couldn't see anything else. It didn't even feel like a road—it was basically just a mountain path.

WELL, I arrived safely with my legs shaking. I didn't enjoy the campsite either. Everything was wet and muddy, and with the fog you couldn't see anything. Anyways, it was by far the worst day of the trip. and also I was gonna cross using the ferry but it got cancelled.

Day 12-13-14